Lebanese Singer Elissa Sparks Controversy After Throwing Back Palestinian Keffiyeh in Tunisia

During a recent concert in Tunis, Lebanese singer Elissa faced controversy after a Palestinian keffiyeh was thrown at her from the audience. Video footage shows Elissa catching the keffiyeh, examining it briefly, and then throwing it back into the crowd. This gesture sparked debate online, with some accusing her of not supporting Palestinians, citing tensions between Lebanon's Christian population and Palestinian refugees. Others defended Elissa, pointing to a 2024 performance in Malmo, Sweden, where she wore a keffiyeh thrown to her by the audience, suggesting her actions were not politically motivated.

Elissa did not directly address the incident but expressed affection for Tunisia and its people on her Twitter account. Earlier in 2026, she publicly condemned Hezbollah and Iran, calling on the Lebanese government to take decisive action against what she described as a terrorist organization that no longer represents resistance. Her statements included the slogan "Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon. No Hezbollah." The incident highlights the complex political and social dynamics surrounding Palestinian symbols and Lebanese public figures.

The event took place in the capital of Tunisia, and the reactions reflect ongoing regional sensitivities regarding Palestinian issues and Lebanese internal divisions. Elissa's career as a prominent Lebanese Christian artist adds further layers to the public's interpretation of her response to the keffiyeh being thrown at her.